Thursday, June 28, 2012

Thankful Thursday

Purple Clover on Fifth Avenue


'Christ didn't die for his people because they were special, but because they were sinful.'

Now there's something to think about. We might be able to fool a lot of people, and maybe even ourselves, but the truth is, we are sinners. Our only hope is the grace of God.


I'm posting the following passage from the Bible because it is one of my favorites. It reminds me that God is not impressed by our pretense. He knows us inside and out. He knows we are but dust, and that we are totally helpless to save ourselves. He loved us anyway, in our hopeless condition, enough to shower mercy and grace upon us, through His Son, Jesus!


Ephesians 2:1-10  NIV

'As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,  in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.   

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved.   

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,  in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.   

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.'

***

Today I am thankful for a merciful Savior who buries my past and loves me with an everlasting love. His forgiveness is the only thing that can truly give us a fresh start. When we put our trust in Christ, our report card gets thrown away...

...and we get His instead!

***





Photobucket

11 comments:

Yenta Mary said...

Each day, we are given a new chance to strive for our ideals; and each day, somehow, impatience or frustration or limitations or SOMEthing gets in the way. And yet, still we are loved ... :)

MadSnapper said...

love the Bible photo, beautiful. and this reminds me a sentence that is written in the front of my Bible,i heard it years ago.
We are no surprise to God....

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

What a beautiful post, Judy! How's VBS going?

laurie said...

How true is that! Great post!

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

One of my favorite verses...Yes, I am a sinner, saved by grace. Made alive by His mercy. He changed my heart of stone into flesh. A miracle...

Thank you for reminding me of these great truths...

Ruth Kelly said...

All of us need that change of heart so that we can be with out Savior who died for our sins.

Anonymous said...

Saved by grace, thank you Jesus!
Thank you for this post Judy, to remind me the work is what He has done and will do in all willing vessels.

Mama Hen said...

Definitely something to ponder and take in and remember. It is such a powerful passage. I hope you are well! have a great day!

Mama Hen

Chatty Crone said...

Good post Judy - I think that is hard for some of us - at certain times - to admit. We want to think we are not at fault or something like that. But we have all sinned and have come short of the glory of GOD - we need to repent - and try to do better! lol sandie

Denise said...

Bless your thankful heart.

Under Her Wings said...

Isn't it amazing that God chooses to raise dead people to life! What a blessing to know that the spiritually dead can have everlasting life. Hallelujah! Thanks for the words of encouragement, Judy.

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